Prestigious Funding of £2.4 million provides revitalised enthusiasm for research

Prestigious Funding of £2.4 million provides revitalised enthusiasm for research

The Faculty is one of several universities to offer a nationally funded inter-professional clinical academic training (CAT) programme.

The CAT Master of Research is Clinical Practice (MResCP) programme jointly funded by the National institute of Health Research and the Chief Nursing Officer, England. It supports the development of research knowledge and skills, and the growth of a clinical academic workforce, with the capacity to generate and lead innovative research and evidence based approaches within clinical practice.

Since the MResCP programme commenced in 2009 it has gone from strength to strength, with positive academic and clinical outcomes. Dr Cheryl Whiting (Course director of the MResCP at FHSCE) is extremely pleased to have graduated over 30 students from a range of professional disciplines; with strong evidence that the research produced by our graduates is having a positive impact on quality of care, professional practice and service delivery.

In 2012 the Faculty was the proud recipient of a second round of this prestigious funding; an award of £2.4million signifying that the high quality of the MResCP and its relevance to NHS priorities had been recognised again.

The funding has meant that in recent weeks 18 Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals from across the South East with a similar enthusiasm for research and desire to address gaps in the evidence base have embarked upon this programme of study. It develops in depth knowledge of research concepts and theory, and a wide range of transferable skills enabling practitioners to generate research ideas, lead and promote research activity within the clinical setting. For these students it is an excellent opportunity to take time out from their clinical workload and concentrate on developing scientific excellence, improving health care and ensuring best practice, through innovative research.

There will be an opportunity to apply for one of 18 funded studentships from the beginning of January 2014. There are options to access either a fully funded full time (one year) or part time (two year) studentship. Studentships cover basic salary costs and course fees, allowing employers to seek reimbursement of employment costs during the period of secondment.